Stéphane Penso tests the Bullpadel Hack 02 2020

We know Stéphane Penso for several reasons. A former squash player and coach, he shares his various tips to improve our daily lives as padel players. A fan of equipment, he tests the Bullpadel Hack 02 2020.

Stéphane Penso tests the palas for us, readers of Padel Magazine. This week, the future Pala de Paquito Navarro, the 02 Hack 2020.

First impressions

Bullpadel hits a big blow with this new model. Let us first remember the new hybrid form, between the diamond and the drop of water (we gain in control without losing power), then the use of two new technologies, the TriCarbon and the MultiEva. When you take hold of this pala, the first feeling is noticeable, you feel at ease. The weight is superbly well distributed, and that is an excellent point. The hesacore grip does its job, meaning that once you've tried it, it's hard to part with it.
It is possible to change the weight with pads of 5 or 10 grams to ask at the handle or racquet head. I tried all possible configurations. For my part, I felt comfortable with 5 grams on the neck to further increase control.

In the field

First shot, surprise. The seizure is obvious, it's rigid!
I had never played before with such a stiff racket. We begin to ask questions while warming up: "Will my arm go to cash?"

Minutes after minutes, we realize that this rigidity is excellent concerning control. Take control of this pala took me 5 minutes. Then it's a treat. We drop the ball or we want, it's impressive.

The strikes

At the net, as said above, making volleys is a pure pleasure. The bandejas follow one another without forcing. This Hack 02 2020 takes the effects very well even if the surface is not rough. Having played with its big sister, rough as for it, I did not feel much difference.

Place to smash. The 4 and 3 are chained with phenomenal ease, and no need to force too much. I tested the pala at the end of November and it's not the best season to get the balls out of the track with ease. Well with this pala, it comes out. The opponents of Paquito Navarro will have to worry.

Multi-eva foam

This foam is a mixture of several densities. Hard outside and flexible inside. The MultiEva makes the powder speak and does not have to blush Foam gums, less and less present on the market.

It should be noted

Avoid decentering the ball otherwise you will be punished immediately! When everything is in the sweet spot, without really forcing, we let the arm go, we slice slightly, and the ball swirls to shoot once the carpet or plexiglass touched.

Conclusion

A super design, a hybrid shape, a quick grip and extraordinary control. That's how I would define this 02 Hack 2020. But beware, this racket is not to put in the hands of everyone.
It is not for nothing that Bullpadel, in its press release, wrote that it was aimed at advanced / expert levels while the other 2019 year models were aimed at intermediate / advanced levels.

The extreme stiffness may surprise more than one, but the pala once tamed, it will be the best compromise control / weight / power.
For those who would question whether the fact that the non-rough surface prevents the effects, I would answer in the negative: for the Hack 02, it is not a brake to take effect.
This racket is aimed at those who have already played padel for a few years, both for left and right hand players. This pala will not forgive you for off-center movements, but will work miracles when you have it well in hand (provided that the technical background is there).

Thank you Bullpadel Spain, Régis Gorrino from the Tennis Academy in Luminy for the provision of the field, and to Paul Pietri for the sparring partner.

Stéphane Penso

Padel fan, Stéphane has become the official tester of the padel planet in Europe. Everything goes through his expert hands. Thanks to his extensive experience in the world of rackets, he is able to scan your equipment from head to toe!